Scott LeBrun The latest batch of young men to be "called up" as National Servicemen are a screwy bunch indeed. Among them are Charlie Sage (Bob Monkhouse), a newlywed who never gets to consummate his marriage, Peter Golightly (Charles Hawtrey), a bumbling milquetoast, neurotic hypochondriac Horace Strong (Kenneth Connor), and the mouthy James Bailey (Kenneth Williams). Their sergeant will be a man named Grimshawe (William Hartnell), who hopes against hope that these screw-ups will get their act together when it really counts.Scripted by Norman Hudis, based on a novel by R.F. Delderfield, "Carry On Sergeant" gave rise to a very successful British comedy film series that included several sequels. It was never intended to start a franchise, but it did so well that more movies beginning with the phrase "carry on" were inevitable. It's plenty predictable, but comfortably so, crafting a formula right from the start. You never have much doubt as to where things will head. Still, getting there offers a decent amount of fun. It might be too restrained, and not hilarious enough, for some tastes, but it's certain to create some genuine smiles if not a lot of belly laughs.Director Gerald Thomas lets the personalities of his actors & characters drive the material forward. Hartnell is rock solid as the sergeant, and receives strong support from his engaging supporting players. Monkhouse is a hoot as the man eager to have some alone time with his bride (gorgeous Shirley Eaton), but some viewers may find the Horace character a little hard to take. Eric Barker (as Captain Potts), Dora Bryan (as Norah), Bill Owen (as Corporal Copping), Terence Longdon (as Private Heywood), Norman Rossington (as Herbert Brown), and Hattie Jacques (as Captain Clark) are all entertaining to watch.Followed a year later by "Carry On Nurse".Seven out of 10.

Jackson Booth-Millard This was thee first film to be released as part of the sexy comedy series of films, it's not a bad one. There is no real plot to the story, it is mainly just army training for World War II (I think) with the many different male characters, this is where the comedy comes from, the men. One thing to note about this film, it is one of the only ones where someone actually says "Carry On". Starring William Hartnell as Sergeant Grimshawe, Goldfinger's Shirley Eaton as Mary Sage, Eric Barker as Captain Potts, Bill Owen as Corporal Bill Copping, Charles Hawtrey as Peter Golightly, Kenneth Connor as Horace Strong, Kenneth Williams as James Bailey, Terence Longdon as Miles Heywood, Norman Rossington as Herbert Brown, Gerald Campion as Andy Calloway, Hattie Jacques as Captain Clark, Terry Scott as Sergeant Paddy O'Brien and TV game show host Bob Monkhouse as Charlie Sage. As the second of the Carry On films, you can probably understand why Sid James, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor aren't in it. Carry On films were number 39 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Worth watching!

Bondek (Bondek) I have liked this movie since I was at least eight and that's been twelve years and still I like it. As a kid I liked most of the Carry On films but now have become browned off by the majority except for Sergeant. Sergeant is a heart-warming tale featuring William Hartnell -the first Doctor Who and with excellent bit roles such as in The Yangste Incident and his last platoon. It features some of the well known Carry On faces such as Terry Scott and Kenneth Connor who is my favourite in this one as Private Strong. Excellent lines that still make me laugh and scenes that do likewise. Also starring the late great legend that was Bob Monkhouse. This is in my opinion the greatest of the Carry On movies and right up there with comedies of the time such as Doctor in the House, Wrong Arm of the Law and The League of Gentlemen.

Markmainwaring Before it all got crude Carry On films were much lighter. This one being the first of all of them. It still as moments that are funny today, but I doubt it will be as seen as say, Carry on Cleo.The performances here are quite good as well. Especially William (Doctor Who) Hartnell as the drilling sergeant.A modern audience may find it all a bit slow. Which, of course it is. But unlike later Carry On films there's a continued plot. Which even though its still only there to bounce jokes off. At least it feels like a plot.Not as funny as some of the later ones, but still better made and acted.